AE Events
Planning a wedding is like putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle, and the six-person team at AE Events is skilled at making it all fit. Want a seven-course Tuscan feast with live jazz for 400? Done. A 50-person bonfire beach celebration? No problem! From contracts and vendor negotiations to creative extras (taco bar, anyone?), they're steadfast, organized allies. And if your budget is a ball and chain, they'll work with that, too. 546 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, aeevents.com.
Violet Furxhi, Salon Mario Russo
No post-appointment plans? You'll be scrambling to make some after a visit to this ego booster/blowout artist extraordinaire. Calling on fierce wattage and killer technique, Furxhi shapes locks into your desired frizz-free configuration, from stick straight to full-on Jessica Simpson—all the while complimenting in an exotic growl your "gorgeous," "hot" new look. One glance in the mirror, and you'll be hard-pressed to disagree. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Natale’s
Photograph courtesy of Natale's Though Natale’s focus is on suiting (with more than 2,000 suits and 1,000 sport jackets available), this one-stop shop also offers golf shirts for hitting the fairway, cuff links for hitting the boardroom, and everything else you need to smartly (and stylishly) dress for all your days. And because Natale’s provides free alterations for the lifetime of its fine suits, pants, and sport jackets, your wardrobe can grow with you. 171 Washington St., Norwell, MA 2061, natalesclothing.com.
Stel's
Stel's deserves this honor if for no other reason than it introduced Boston to New York's Seize sur Vingt. The designer's crisp, colorful dress shirts work as well with jeans as with a suit, and have inspired a rabid following among guys tired of the giant fabric boxes that masquerade as button-downs at Brooks Brothers. Sweaters, pants, denim, and more from A.P.C., United Bamboo, Robert Geller, and Nom de Guerre round out a shop that balances fashion-forward with Bostonian conservative, without the cold snobbery of either. 334 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, .
Second Time Around
Some things just get better with age—especially at Second Time Around, where last year's splurges are today's total steal. Sort through racks of gently used Gucci, BCBG Max Azria, and Dolce & Gabbana pants, suits, tops, and jeans, all at a fraction of their original prices and none more than two years old. Staffers are as helpful as they are fashion-conscious, and can often tell you the history of the designer suit they're ringing up. 176 Newbury St., Boston, MA secondtimearound.net.
Fit
No wonder fashion retailers from DKNY to Intermix use Fit. The high-quality workmanship that comes out of this elegantly appointed Newbury Street tailor shop is downright untouchable. But much of owner Lyudmila Sletkova's work is done for consumers who need an experienced hand on complex projects such as taking in a wedding dress, overhauling a crepe suit, or relining linen pants. She can update an old shift dress with new lines, or stitch up a tux lickety split. 268 Newbury St., Boston, MA bestfitinc.com.
Lululemon Athletica
There's more to women's fitness than sun salutations, and this yoga powerhouse's new Newbury Street store excels in outfitting workout junkies of all sorts. Cyclists, tennis aces, and kickboxers alike will find something to love among the colorful tanks, jackets, cropped pants, and shorts durable enough to withstand the most strenuous Esplanade run. 337 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, lululemon.com.
Benny Ho
This tailor honed his craft at Louis Boston, and it shows, especially when it comes to pants. Benny Ho is the master of finding that extra inch, making sure the break falls in the right place, and giving a suit an almost made-to-measure look. And for that jacket that's a little tight across the chest, Ho can open up some breathing room. 1405 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA .
Akris
Looking for an uncontrived and versatile suit that works equally well at the office and after hours? The Swiss-based house of Akris, which recently opened, stocks some of the smartest two-piece suits in town. Designer Albert Kriemler's obsession with form, fit, and fabric is evident in the attention to detail and tailoring in his traditional pant-jacket-and-skirt suits. The store also carries the lower-priced Punto collection, perfect for women who are searching for classic suiting with a bit of an edge. 16 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Waverly Oaks Golf Club
Just about every golf course in New England has pristine greens, little white balls, and plaid pants. What sets Waverly Oaks apart is the variety of its 9- and 18- hole courses. There's something for every kind of player here, with short and long holes, uphills and down, and doglegs both left and right. There's also enough room so that no one has to feel crammed—or as if they're on the business end of target practice. 444 Long Pond Rd., Plymouth, MA waverlyoaksgc.com.
Harvest Cooperative Supermarket
With close to 200 herbs and spices to choose from, Harvest remains the wise shopper's best bet. Planning a romantic dinner? In one stop you'll find the cardamom, tumeric, and cilantro for your seductive Chicken Pasanda, and some Damiana herb to help keep the— uh— mood up. Bulk dispensers allow you to buy as much or as little as you need, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. 581 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Haven Beauty
It’s not just our hair that has grown great lengths since Haven won Best Salon west of Boston last year: The team has since added a stylist, massage therapist, and two aestheticians — with plans to keep expanding. Needless to say, your options for a day of pampering are plentiful at this holistic salon, but we’ll be back for the refreshing cut and meticulously painted balayage that left our locks looking like a work of art. 14 Church St., Hopkinton, MA 01748, havenbeautyma.com.
System 7
For those of us who find navigating the myriad of home-technology systems overwhelming and stressful, System 7’s Experience Center is a godsend. The pros at the company’s two locations in Boston and Wellesley are as tech-savvy as they are patient. They’ll enlighten you on intuitive access controls, motorized shading systems, lighting, and about integrating it all together through wireless networking. And when you’re ready, they’ll create a plan tailored to your home’s specific needs. Boston Design Center, Ste. 130W, Boston, MA 02210, systemseven.com.
Chuck Bass, Pini Swissa Salon
We came to Bass with a three-month-old haircut on the fritz. His diagnosis? Too heavy, especially around the shoulders. Within 60 seconds the stylist had devised a surgical plan: longer in the front, with flattering layers in the back. And then he swiftly and quietly went to work, using both wet and dry cutting techniques to sculpt our mane as if it were a statue made of clay. The result: a cut with body, style, and plenty of personality. Bonus: Bass sees clients as early as 6 a.m., so you don’t have to wreck your work day (or fight Newbury Street traffic) for a trim. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, chuckbass.com.
Arthur & Pat's
Arthur & Pat's, in the words of one sage local, "doesn't cater to the fancy-pants crowd." And indeed, the restaurant's worn exterior, wooden signs, and random rock soundtrack are unabashedly down-home. But if those details create a misperception of slapdash management, it's immediately cleared up by the glorious grub. We're talking fluffy pancakes with piles of berries; eggs Benedict with real crab; crispy, greaseless fried clams; bottomless cups of strong, hot coffee. After your meal, you may feel tempted to undo your belt—and given the easygoing air, it'd almost be acceptable to do so. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .